"I saw a lot of my friends and family study nursing and teaching and these types of degrees and I thought people really want to go back to community but most of the time they don't really have the infrastructure or the capabilities there to really do well, say in the health sector or in education," he said.

"My way of giving back was that I really found inspiration from being able to have an input with improving the infrastructure of housing, roads, hospitals, schools. Hospitals and schools really stood out to me and that's where my interest really started to grow."

Mr Plant is a Wailwan Yuin Gamilaroi man. His parents come from Walgett and Brewarrina.

ALSO MAKING NEWS:

He's currently studying a Bachelor of Construction Management at Western Sydney University.

His goal is to use the skills he learns to help vulnerable people.

"I've worked in the industry for a few years just interning and I really found that community aspect and helping my mob is always something that I need in my life," Mr Plant said.

"I now realise that for me to be motivated and have that fire burning I need to have that community aspect where I'm helping the people around me, especially the most vulnerable, the people who need it the most."

Mr Plant has been awarded the NSW Aboriginal Land Council Educational Scholarship.

In addition to $10,000, he will also take part in a six week paid internship. Due to COVID-19 restrictions it's been placed on hold.

"One of the things that really stood out was that they were going out to missions and helping restore missions and restore aspects of those missions. That's one of the main reasons I applied," Mr Plant said.

"And being my last year and not having to worry about that financial burden."

Mr Plant said he can see "the light at the end of the tunnel" now his degree is almost complete.

Last year, face-to-face learning at the university was stopped and the student said it took him a while to adjust to learning online.

"Being at home all the time was really draining. When you're living, working and relaxing in the one space, it was really draining," Mr Plant said.

He said he was really excited to get back to campus this semester.

LOVE LOCAL NEWS? SIGN UP TO OUR DAILY NEWSLETTER